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Campagno KE, Sripinun P, See LP, Li J, Lu W, Jassim AH, Más Gómez N, Mitchell CH. Increased Pan-Type, A1-Type, and A2-Type Astrocyte Activation and Upstream Inflammatory Markers Are Induced by the P2X7 Receptor. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8784. [PMID: 39201471 PMCID: PMC11354399 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25168784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
This study asked whether the P2X7 receptor was necessary and sufficient to trigger astrocyte polarization into neuroinflammatory activation states. Intravitreal injection of agonist BzATP increased gene expression of pan-astrocyte activation markers Gfap, Steap4, and Vim and A1-type astrocyte activation markers C3, Serping1, and H2T23, but also the Cd14 and Ptx3 genes usually associated with the A2-type astrocyte activation state and Tnfa, IL1a, and C1qa, assumed to be upstream of astrocyte activation in microglia. Correlation analysis of gene expression suggested the P2X7 receptor induced a mixed A1/A2-astrocyte activation state, although A1-state genes like C3 increased the most. A similar pattern of mixed glial activation genes occurred one day after intraocular pressure (IOP) was elevated in wild-type mice, but not in P2X7-/- mice, suggesting the P2X7 receptor is necessary for the glial activation that accompanies IOP elevation. In summary, this study suggests stimulation of the P2X7R is necessary and sufficient to trigger the astrocyte activation in the retina following IOP elevation, with a rise in markers for pan-, A1-, and A2-type astrocyte activation. The P2X7 receptor is expressed on microglia, optic nerve head astrocytes, and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in the retina, and can be stimulated by the mechanosensitive release of ATP that accompanies IOP elevation. Whether the P2X7 receptor connects this mechanosensitive ATP release to microglial and astrocyte polarization in glaucoma remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith E. Campagno
- Department of Basic and Translational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Puttipong Sripinun
- Department of Orthodontics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Lily P. See
- Department of Endodontics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jiaqi Li
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Basic and Translational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Wennan Lu
- Department of Basic and Translational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Assraa Hassan Jassim
- Department of Basic and Translational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Néstor Más Gómez
- Department of Basic and Translational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Claire H. Mitchell
- Department of Basic and Translational Science, Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Elwood BW, Godwin CR, Anders JJ, Kardon RH, Gramlich OW. Correlation of Visual System Biomarkers With Motor Deficits in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis-Optic Neuritis. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2024; 13:1. [PMID: 39087931 PMCID: PMC11305423 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.13.8.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) scoring, the most commonly used primary outcome metric for an in vivo model of multiple sclerosis (MS), is highly variable and subjective. Here we explored the use of visual biomarkers in EAE as more objective and clinically relevant primary outcomes. Methods Motor impairment in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-immunized C57BL/6J mice was quantified using a five-point EAE grading scale. Pattern electroretinography (pERG) and retinal ganglion cell/inner plexiform layer (RGC/IPL) complex thickness were measured 60 days after induction. Optic nerve histopathology was analyzed at endpoint. Results EAE mice displayed motor impairments ranging from mild to severe. Significant correlations were seen between pERG amplitude and last EAE score, mean EAE score, and cumulative EAE score. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between thinning of the RGC/IPL complex and both EAE score and pERG amplitude. Optic nerve histopathology showed significant correlations between demyelination and cumulative EAE score, pERG amplitude, and RGC/IPL complex thickness, as well as between immune cell infiltration and cumulative EAE score, pERG amplitude, and RGC/IPL complex thickness in EAE mice. Conclusions Unlike EAE scoring, pERG and OCT show direct measurement of retinal structure and function. Therefore we conclude that visual outcomes are well suited as a direct assessment of optic nerve involvement in this EAE model of MS while also being indicative of motor impairment. Translational Relevance Standardizing directly translatable measurements as primary outcome parameters in the murine EAE model could lead to more rapid and relevant testing of new therapeutic approaches for mitigating MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin W. Elwood
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Cheyanne R. Godwin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Jeffrey J. Anders
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Randy H. Kardon
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Oliver W. Gramlich
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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Gomes SDS, da Silva JF, Padilha RMO, de Vasconcelos JVA, de Negreiros Neto LG, Marrs JA, Cadena PG. Behavioral Effects of the Mixture and the Single Compounds Carbendazim, Fipronil, and Sulfentrazone on Zebrafish ( Danio rerio) Larvae. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1176. [PMID: 38927383 PMCID: PMC11200900 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Pesticides are often detected in freshwater, but their impact on the aquatic environment is commonly studied based on single compounds, underestimating the potential additive effects of these mixtures. Even at low concentrations, pesticides can negatively affect organisms, altering important behaviors that can have repercussions at the population level. This study used a multi-behavioral approach to evaluate the effects of zebrafish larvae exposure to carbendazim (C), fipronil (F), and sulfentrazone (S), individually and mixed. Five behavioral tests, thigmotaxis, touch sensitivity, optomotor response, bouncing ball test, and larval exploratory behavior, were performed to assess potential effects on anxiety, fear, and spatial and social interaction. Significant changes were observed in the performance of larvae exposed to all compounds and their mixtures. Among the single pesticides, exposure to S produced the most behavioral alterations, followed by F and C, respectively. A synergistic effect between the compounds was observed in the C + F group, which showed more behavioral effects than the groups exposed to pesticides individually. The use of behavioral tests to evaluate pesticide mixtures is important to standardize methods and associate behavioral changes with ecologically relevant events, thus creating a more realistic scenario for investigating the potential environmental impacts of these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samara da Silva Gomes
- Department of Morphology and Animal Physiology, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife 52171-900, PE, Brazil; (S.d.S.G.); (J.F.d.S.); (R.M.O.P.)
| | - Jadson Freitas da Silva
- Department of Morphology and Animal Physiology, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife 52171-900, PE, Brazil; (S.d.S.G.); (J.F.d.S.); (R.M.O.P.)
| | - Renata Meireles Oliveira Padilha
- Department of Morphology and Animal Physiology, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife 52171-900, PE, Brazil; (S.d.S.G.); (J.F.d.S.); (R.M.O.P.)
| | - João Victor Alves de Vasconcelos
- Department of Physics, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife 52171-900, PE, Brazil; (J.V.A.d.V.); (L.G.d.N.N.)
| | - Luís Gomes de Negreiros Neto
- Department of Physics, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife 52171-900, PE, Brazil; (J.V.A.d.V.); (L.G.d.N.N.)
| | - James A. Marrs
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, 723 West Michigan, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
| | - Pabyton Gonçalves Cadena
- Department of Morphology and Animal Physiology, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife 52171-900, PE, Brazil; (S.d.S.G.); (J.F.d.S.); (R.M.O.P.)
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4
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Hoppe C, Gregory-Ksander M. The Role of Complement Dysregulation in Glaucoma. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2307. [PMID: 38396986 PMCID: PMC10888626 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by damage to the optic nerve that results in irreversible vision loss. While the exact pathology of glaucoma is not well understood, emerging evidence suggests that dysregulation of the complement system, a key component of innate immunity, plays a crucial role. In glaucoma, dysregulation of the complement cascade and impaired regulation of complement factors contribute to chronic inflammation and neurodegeneration. Complement components such as C1Q, C3, and the membrane attack complex have been implicated in glaucomatous neuroinflammation and retinal ganglion cell death. This review will provide a summary of human and experimental studies that document the dysregulation of the complement system observed in glaucoma patients and animal models of glaucoma driving chronic inflammation and neurodegeneration. Understanding how complement-mediated damage contributes to glaucoma will provide opportunities for new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Hoppe
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
- Animal Physiology/Neurobiology, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Meredith Gregory-Ksander
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
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Spurlock M, An W, Reshetnikova G, Wen R, Wang H, Braha M, Solis G, Kurtenbach S, Galindez OJ, de Rivero Vaccari JP, Chou TH, Porciatti V, Shestopalov VI. The Inflammasome-Dependent Dysfunction and Death of Retinal Ganglion Cells after Repetitive Intraocular Pressure Spikes. Cells 2023; 12:2626. [PMID: 37998361 PMCID: PMC10670000 DOI: 10.3390/cells12222626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The dysfunction and selective loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) is a known cause of vision loss in glaucoma and other neuropathies, where ocular hypertension (OHT) is the major risk factor. We investigated the impact of transient non-ischemic OHT spikes (spOHT) on RGC function and viability in vivo to identify cellular pathways linking low-grade repetitive mechanical stress to RGC pathology. We found that repetitive spOHT had an unexpectedly high impact on intraocular homeostasis and RGC viability, while exposure to steady OHT (stOHT) of a similar intensity and duration failed to induce pathology. The repetitive spOHT induced the rapid activation of the inflammasome, marked by the upregulation of NLRP1, NLRP3, AIM2, caspases -1, -3/7, -8, and Gasdermin D (GSDMD), and the release of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and other cytokines into the vitreous. Similar effects were also detected after 5 weeks of exposure to chronic OHT in an induced glaucoma model. The onset of these immune responses in both spOHT and glaucoma models preceded a 50% deficit in pattern electroretinogram (PERG) amplitude and a significant loss of RGCs 7 days post-injury. The inactivation of inflammasome complexes in Nlrp1-/-, Casp1-/-, and GsdmD-/- knockout animals significantly suppressed the spOHT-induced inflammatory response and protected RGCs. Our results demonstrate that mechanical stress produced by acute repetitive spOHT or chronic OHT is mechanistically linked to inflammasome activation, which leads to RGC dysfunction and death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Spurlock
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.S.); (W.A.); (G.R.); (R.W.); (H.W.); (M.B.); (G.S.); (S.K.); (V.P.)
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Weijun An
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.S.); (W.A.); (G.R.); (R.W.); (H.W.); (M.B.); (G.S.); (S.K.); (V.P.)
| | - Galina Reshetnikova
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.S.); (W.A.); (G.R.); (R.W.); (H.W.); (M.B.); (G.S.); (S.K.); (V.P.)
| | - Rong Wen
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.S.); (W.A.); (G.R.); (R.W.); (H.W.); (M.B.); (G.S.); (S.K.); (V.P.)
| | - Hua Wang
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.S.); (W.A.); (G.R.); (R.W.); (H.W.); (M.B.); (G.S.); (S.K.); (V.P.)
| | - Michelle Braha
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.S.); (W.A.); (G.R.); (R.W.); (H.W.); (M.B.); (G.S.); (S.K.); (V.P.)
| | - Gabriela Solis
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.S.); (W.A.); (G.R.); (R.W.); (H.W.); (M.B.); (G.S.); (S.K.); (V.P.)
| | - Stefan Kurtenbach
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.S.); (W.A.); (G.R.); (R.W.); (H.W.); (M.B.); (G.S.); (S.K.); (V.P.)
| | - Orlando J. Galindez
- Department of Neurological Surgery and The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Juan Pablo de Rivero Vaccari
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
- Department of Neurological Surgery and The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Tsung-Han Chou
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.S.); (W.A.); (G.R.); (R.W.); (H.W.); (M.B.); (G.S.); (S.K.); (V.P.)
| | - Vittorio Porciatti
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.S.); (W.A.); (G.R.); (R.W.); (H.W.); (M.B.); (G.S.); (S.K.); (V.P.)
| | - Valery I. Shestopalov
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.S.); (W.A.); (G.R.); (R.W.); (H.W.); (M.B.); (G.S.); (S.K.); (V.P.)
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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Bang JW, Parra C, Yu K, Wollstein G, Schuman JS, Chan KC. GABA decrease is associated with degraded neural specificity in the visual cortex of glaucoma patients. Commun Biol 2023; 6:679. [PMID: 37386293 PMCID: PMC10310759 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04918-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is an age-related neurodegenerative disease of the visual system, affecting both the eye and the brain. Yet its underlying metabolic mechanisms and neurobehavioral relevance remain largely unclear. Here, using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and functional magnetic resonance imaging, we investigated the GABAergic and glutamatergic systems in the visual cortex of glaucoma patients, as well as neural specificity, which is shaped by GABA and glutamate signals and underlies efficient sensory and cognitive functions. Our study shows that among the older adults, both GABA and glutamate levels decrease with increasing glaucoma severity regardless of age. Further, our study shows that the reduction of GABA but not glutamate predicts the neural specificity. This association is independent of the impairments on the retina structure, age, and the gray matter volume of the visual cortex. Our results suggest that glaucoma-specific decline of GABA undermines neural specificity in the visual cortex and that targeting GABA could improve the neural specificity in glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Won Bang
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, New York, 10017, USA.
| | - Carlos Parra
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, New York, 10017, USA
| | - Kevin Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, New York, 10017, USA
| | - Gadi Wollstein
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, New York, 10017, USA
- Center for Neural Science, College of Arts and Science, New York University, New York, New York, 10003, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, New York, New York, 11201, USA
| | - Joel S Schuman
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, New York, 10017, USA
- Center for Neural Science, College of Arts and Science, New York University, New York, New York, 10003, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, New York, New York, 11201, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Kevin C Chan
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, New York, 10017, USA.
- Center for Neural Science, College of Arts and Science, New York University, New York, New York, 10003, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, New York, New York, 11201, USA.
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, New York, 10016, USA.
- Department of Radiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, New York, 10016, USA.
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7
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Joachim SC. Towards an Understanding of Retinal Diseases and Novel Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147576. [PMID: 35886925 PMCID: PMC9317684 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie C Joachim
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany
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8
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Player JK, Riordan SM, Duncan RS, Koulen P. Analysis of Glaucoma Associated Genes in Response to Inflammation, an Examination of a Public Data Set Derived from Peripheral Blood from Patients with Hepatitis C. Clin Ophthalmol 2022; 16:2093-2103. [PMID: 35770250 PMCID: PMC9236525 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s364739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide and despite its prevalence, there are still many unanswered questions related to its pathogenesis. There is evidence that oxidative stress and inflammation play a major role in disease progression. Glaucoma patients from several studies showed altered gene expression in leukocytes, revealing the possibility of using peripheral biomarkers to diagnose or stage glaucoma. The fact that glaucoma is associated with gene expression changes in tissues distant from the retina underscores the possible involvement of systemic oxidative stress and inflammation as potential contributing or compounding factors in glaucoma. Methods We assembled a list of oxidative stress and inflammatory markers related to glaucoma based on a review of the literature. In addition, we utilized publicly available data sets of gene expression values collected from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and macrophages from two patient groups: those chronically infected by the hepatitis C virus and those who have cleared it. Activation of the innate immune response can render cells or tissues more responsive to a second delayed proinflammatory stimulus. Additional gene expression data from these cells after subsequent polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid treatment, used to elicit an acute inflammatory response, allowed for the investigation of the acute inflammatory response in these groups. We used fold-change comparison values between the two patient groups to identify genes of interest. Results A comparison analysis identified 17 glaucoma biomarkers that were differentially expressed in response to HCV-mediated inflammation. Of these 17, six had significant p-values in the baseline vs treated values. Expression data of these genes were compared between patients who had cleared the Hepatitis C virus versus those who had not and identified three genes of interest for further study. Discussion These results support our hypothesis that inflammation secondary to Hepatitis C virus infection affects the expression of glaucoma biomarker genes related to the antioxidant response and inflammation. In addition, they provide several potential targets for further research into understanding the relationship between innate responses to viral infection and inflammatory aspects of glaucoma and for potential use as a predictive biomarker or pharmacological intervention in glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob K Player
- Vision Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri – Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA
| | - Sean M Riordan
- Vision Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri – Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA
| | - R Scott Duncan
- Vision Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri – Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA
| | - Peter Koulen
- Vision Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri – Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Missouri – Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA
- Correspondence: Peter Koulen, Vision Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri – Kansas City, 2411 Holmes Street, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA, Tel +1 816-235-6773, Email
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Systemic Treatment with Pioglitazone Reverses Vision Loss in Preclinical Glaucoma Models. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12020281. [PMID: 35204782 PMCID: PMC8961625 DOI: 10.3390/biom12020281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation significantly contributes to the pathophysiology of several neurodegenerative diseases. This is also the case in glaucoma and may be a reason why many patients suffer from progressive vision loss despite maximal reduction in intraocular pressure. Pioglitazone is an agonist of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) whose pleiotrophic activities include modulation of cellular energy metabolism and reduction in inflammation. In this study we employed the DBA2/J mouse model of glaucoma with chronically elevated intraocular pressure to investigate whether oral low-dose pioglitazone treatment preserves retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival. We then used an inducible glaucoma model in C57BL/6J mice to determine visual function, pattern electroretinographs, and tracking of optokinetic reflex. Our findings demonstrate that pioglitazone treatment does significantly protect RGCs and prevents axonal degeneration in the glaucomatous retina. Furthermore, treatment preserves and partially reverses vision loss in spite of continuously elevated intraocular pressure. These data suggest that pioglitazone may provide treatment benefits for those glaucoma patients experiencing continued vision loss.
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Immune Responses in the Glaucomatous Retina: Regulation and Dynamics. Cells 2021; 10:cells10081973. [PMID: 34440742 PMCID: PMC8391899 DOI: 10.3390/cells10081973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is a multifactorial disease resulting in progressive vision loss due to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) dysfunction and death. Early events in the pathobiology of the disease include oxidative, metabolic, or mechanical stress that acts upon RGC, causing these to rapidly release danger signals, including extracellular ATP, resulting in micro- and macroglial activation and neuroinflammation. Danger signaling also leads to the formation of inflammasomes in the retina that enable maturation of proinflammatory cytokines such IL-1β and IL-18. Chronic neuroinflammation can have directly damaging effects on RGC, but it also creates a proinflammatory environment and compromises the immune privilege of the retina. In particular, continuous synthesis of proinflammatory mediators such as TNFα, IL-1β, and anaphylatoxins weakens the blood–retina barrier and recruits or activates T-cells. Recent data have demonstrated that adaptive immune responses strongly exacerbate RGC loss in animal models of the disease as T-cells appear to target heat shock proteins displayed on the surface of stressed RGC to cause their apoptotic death. It is possible that dysregulation of these immune responses contributes to the continued loss of RGC in some patients.
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